Endoscope pincers with rotary connector

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to pincers used in endoscope surgery, comprising a proximal terminal structure, a tube constituting the pincers stem being affixed to the proximal end segment of said terminal structure, further comprising a stationary handle affixed to the terminal structure and a displaceable handle resting on said stationary one and fitted along the tube axis proximally near the end segment with a swivel seat, further comprising a pincers head bearing the pincers arms and connected rotatably to the distal tube end and detachably and mechanically interlockingly in the axial direction, further comprising a rod driving the pincers arms and being axially displaceable and affixed irrotationally to the pincers head and, in the pincers assembled configuration, crossing the tube and being detachably resting by its distal end in the swivel seat, and with an axially freely moving rotational connection between rod and tube in the proximal tube end zone, said pincers being characterized in that when the pincers is assembled, and the rod is situated in the region of the rotational connection, this rod exhibits at least over the engagement zone running over the length of its axial displacement a rotationally asymmetric cross-section, and in that a slider rests in a transverse clearance of the tube, said slider being fitted with an elongated slot passing the rod, said slot freely passing the proximally situated tube segment exhibiting a maximum-diameter circular cross-section and enclosing the rod&#39;s engagement zone in irrotationally locking manner in a gripping zone which is offset in the sliding direction.

[0001] The invention relates to pincers of the kind defined in the preamble of claim 1. Herein the expression “pincers” concerns an endoscope implement having mutually displaceable arms. Accordingly such pincers also may be scissors.

[0002] Pincers of this species are characterized in that the pincers head together with its rod used for actuation can be removed from the remnant pincers. This feature entails detachable but omnidirectionally firm connection of the pincers head to the distal tube end. However, because the diameter is highly narrow, namely only several mm, such a connection can be manufactured only with great difficulty.

[0003] As a result pincers of this kind are fitted with a screw or a bayonet connection between the pincers head and the tube, such a connection being feasible with adequate mechanical strength even under these constricted circumstances. However such a connection locks only axially and for reliability furthermore requires a rotary connector which, as regards pincers of this kind, and in view of the restrictions on space, must be situated in the tube's proximal end zone between said zone and the rod, and also must be detachable to allow dismantling.

[0004] The literature, and illustratively the European patent documents 0 688 187 B1 and 0 633 002 A1 and the German patent document 198 55305 C1, discloses several possible designs for said proximal rotary connector between the tube and the rod.

[0005] But those designs all entail significant drawbacks, on one hand as regards an exceedingly complex configuration, and on the other hand with respect to laborious manual operation to disengage this rotary connector.

[0006] It is the objective of the present invention to create pincers of the above kind which shall be fitted with a rotary connector of simpler design and operation.

[0007] This problem is solved by the features of claim 1.

[0008] The design of the invention includes a transversely displaceable slider which is situated in the tube's proximal end zone and which is crossed within an elongated slot by the rod. This elongated slot comprises two areas each of which shall engage the rod when the slider is located in different slider positions. If, in the one slider position, the elongated slot engages by its clearance the said rod, then it shall loosely enclose the rod by a clear circular cross-section corresponding to the maximum diameter of the proximal rod segment. Accordingly the rod then can be rotated relatively to the slider and hence relative to the tube to be freed thereby for the purpose of releasing the pincers head. In this slider position the rod also can be fully removed from the elongated slot or be reinserted into it. As regards the other slider position, the elongated slot by means of its gripping zone will rotationally lock onto an engagement zone of the rod presenting rotational asymmetry, the rod being thereby irrotational but longitudinally displaceable. This design involving a simple slider and a simple rotationally asymmetrical rod zone is exceedingly useful in manufacture. Said design furthermore offers substantial handling advantages, in particular in that the slider can be displaced in simple and surveyable manner into a position securing and releasing the rotational connector. No other actuations are required.

[0009] The tube may be affixed to the terminal structure. Preferably however the tube is detachably affixed in conventional manner to the terminal structure so as to advantageously constitute pincers which are easily cleaned, namely creating pincers that can be resolved into three parts, that is a pincers head with rod, a tube and a terminal structure. This design usually includes a locking device to secure the tube to the terminal structure. The features of claim 2 are advantageous in such a design. Thereby the need to separately actuate the locking device has been eliminated. When driving the slider into the rotationally disengaged position, the tube may be unlocked simultaneously or also in a third site of extension. In this way the design is simplified and actuation is made easier. If the positions for tube disengagement and rotational unlocking coincide at the slider, then, at this slider position, the pincers easily can be easily separated into its three components.

[0010] The features of claim 3 are advantageous. Such a design—which may be fitted for instance with the tube locking device of the German patent document 198 53 305 C1—is the design desired in modem pincers wherein the rotational pincers position relative to the terminal structure can be adjusted arbitrarily.

[0011] The features of claim 4 are advantageous. They ensure that the slider always shall assume its appropriate rotational position wherein the elongated slot may be inserted into the rod.

[0012] Lastly the features of claim 5 are advantageous. They ensure that, unless deliberately actuated, the slider shall keep the pincers in its locked position.

[0013] The invention is shown illustratively and schematically in the drawing.

[0014]FIG. 1 is an axial section of pincers of the invention,

[0015]FIG. 2 is a sectional elevation of the slider along line 2-2 of FIG. 1, and

[0016]FIG. 3 is a view similar to that of FIG. 2 of an embodiment variation of the slider.

[0017] The pincers 1 shown in FIG. 1 is used for endoscope surgery and comprises an elongated, thin stem constituted by a tube 2 and proximally affixed to a pincers terminal structure 3. A pincers head 4 is affixed to the distal end of the tube 2 in the same manner as described in the German patent document 198 53 305 C1. Accordingly it is inserted by means of an insert 5 into the tube 2. The insert 5 is fitted on its cylindrical external surface with a bayonet groove 6 which is engaged by an inside pin 7 of the tube 2.

[0018] In the shown locked bayonet position, the pincers head 4 is axially secured relative to the tube 2. However it might become disengaged during rotational adjustment. Accordingly additional securing is required against rotation. The same requirement exists if, in an embodiment variation, the shown bayonet lock were replaced by a screw lock. `

[0019] A rod 8 acts on the pincers head 4 and rests irrotationally but longitudinally displaceably in this pincers head 4, implementing the displacements of the pincer arms 9 when it is longitudinally displaced.

[0020] In the assembled pincers shown in FIG. 1, the rod 8 runs through the tube 2 and a proximally adjoining borehole 10 of the terminal structure 3, and said rod proximally ends behind this structure in the conventional ball 11 which rests detachably in the swivel seat of a displaceable handle 12. This displaceable handle 12 rests at 13 on a stationary handle 14 which is affixed to the terminal structure 3.

[0021] In the shown assembled pincers, mutual displacement of the handles 12, 14 will longitudinally displace the rod 8 relative to the tube 2 and thereby will drive the pincers head 4 into opening and closing its arms 9.

[0022] As already mentioned above, an additional rotational lock is needed to rotationally secure the bayonet lock 6, 7 of the pincers head 4 to the tube 2. For that purpose a slider 17 rests inside a clearance 16 running transversely to the axis of the tube 2 at its proximal end zone which is enlarged at that site into an end segment 15. As shown in the axial sideview of FIG. 2, the slider 17 comprises an elongated slot 18 which subtends an upper passage 19 and a lower gripping zone 20.

[0023] In the longitudinal zone of the rod 8 situated in the assembled state of FIG. 1 in the region of the slider 17, this rod 8 which elsewhere exhibits for instance a circular cross-section here is fitted with an engagement zone 21 (FIG. 2) of substantially rectangular cross-section. The engagement zone 21 retains its constant cross-section over a length corresponding to its displacement range in which to drive the pincers head 4.

[0024] For the position of the slider 17 shown in FIG. 2, it is clear that the rod 8 is geometrically locked at its flat engagement zone 21 by the gripping zone 20 of the elongated slot 18. In this manner the rod 8 is irrotationally held in place relative to the slider 17 and hence relative to the tube 2 while nevertheless being longitudinally displaceable over the length of the engagement zone 21.

[0025] If the slider 17 is displaced enough that the rod 8 now is situated as shown by dashed lines in FIG. 2 in the passage 19 of the elongated slot 18, then said rod shall be freely rotatable within the larger clear cross-section of the passage 19 which leaves free a circular cross-section of maximum diameter of the rod 8. In particular the rod may entirely move through the slot in the longitudinal direction, inclusive its entire segment situated proximally relative to the slider 17.

[0026] As shown by FIG. 1, the slider 17 is kept both by a stop 22 and by a closing spring 23 in its upper end position wherein, as shown in FIG. 2, the engagement zone 21 of the rod 8 is situated in the gripping zone 20 of the elongated slot 18, the rod therefore being secured against rotation. In this spring-loaded end position of the slider 17, the pincers 1 is secured in its assembled state of FIG. 1. In particular the pincers head 4 is secured against dropping off.

[0027] If the pincers must be disassembled for cleaning, finger pressure will depress the slider 17 until passage 19 of the elongated slot 18 shall be in the zone of the rod 8. Presently the pincers head 4 may be seized and rotated to unlock the bayonet connection 6, 7 and it may be fully pulled jointly with the rod 8, the ball 11 being conventionally and automatically released from the displaceable handle 12.

[0028] Once the pincers must be reassembled, the rod 8 is inserted from the distal end through the tube 2 until it touches the slider 17. This slider 17 then must be depressed in order that the passage 19 of the elongated slot 18 allows passing said rod. To simplify this procedure, the elongated slot may be fitted at its distal aperture with an insertion bevel ensuring that when the rod 8 together with its ball 11 at its proximal comes near the insertion bevel, the slider 17 shall be displaced under slight pressure from the rod until the passage 19 of the elongated slot 18 allows passing the rod.

[0029] In the above description, the tube 2 may be permanently affixed to the terminal structure 3. Desirably however the tube 2 should be taken off the terminal structure when cleaning the assembly.

[0030] For that purpose the end segment 15 of the tube 2 is made separate from the terminal structure 3. The end segment 15 can be plugged by means of an end-face borehole 24 onto said terminal structure 3. At its distal end, the terminal structure 3 comprises a terminal borehole 25 which is fitted at its base with an undercut groove 26.

[0031] A locking hook 27 is affixed to the slider 17 which, in the shown locking position of the slider 17, engages the groove 26 and in this manner locks the tube 2 to the terminal structure 3. If now the slider 17 is depressed, the locking hook 27 disengages from the undercut groove 26 and thus may be removed with the tube 2.

[0032] Accordingly, when the slider 17 is depressed, the tube 2 is simultaneously disengaged from the terminal structure 3 and the rotational connection between the rod 8 and the tube 2 is disengaged. In another design the configuration however may be such that, at different insertion depths of the slider 17, illustratively first only the locking hook 27 is disengaged and then only the rotational mechanical interlock with the rod 8. For that purpose, and for instance in the manner shown, the locking hook 27 may be supported separately from the slider 17 and may be made to engage latter by means of stops.

[0033] In the shown preferred embodiment of the pincers 1, not only is the tube 2 detachable from the terminal structure 3, but it is also rotatable relative to it. For that purpose the end segment 15 of the tube 2 is supported rotatably by its end-face borehole 24 on a corresponding cylindrical external surface of the terminal structure 3. The locking hook 27 is designed to engage the undercut groove 26 in any angular position. Furthermore at least two drive surfaces 28 are present at the external circumference of the tube's end segment 15 and can be acted on to rotate the tube 2 relative to the terminal structure 3

[0034] In the shown and preferred embodiment, the slider 17 exhibits a rectangular cross-section in order that its elongated slot 18 shall always point toward the rod 8.

[0035] In deviation from the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the elongated slot 18 of the slider 17 may subtend a passage in another manner and, away from it in the direction of displacement of the slider 17, a gripping zone, illustratively as shown in FIG. 3 of an alternative embodiment.

[0036]FIG. 3 shows a slider 17′ wherein the elongated slot 18′ in the passage zone 19 is exactly the same as in FIG. 2. While exhibiting again a large width of aperture in its gripping zone 20, on the other hand it is fitted with a pin 29 affixed to the slider 17′ and projecting in the direction of displacement of the slider into the elongated slot 18′. In this design the rod 8′ differs in its engagement zone 21 from the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2. The rod's cross-section is circular and the rod is fitted with a longitudinal slot 30 which the pin 29 engages irrotationally but axially displaceably when this rod 8′ is situated in the gripping zone 20. Further embodiment modes are feasible. 

1. Pincers (1) for endoscopy surgery, comprising a terminal structure (3) to which is affixed the proximal end segment (15) of a tube (2) constituting the pincers stem, further a stationary handle (14) affixed to the terminal structure (3) and a displaceable handle (12) which rests on said stationary handle and which is fitted on the axis of the tube (2) at the proximal side of the terminal structure (3) with a swivel seat (11), further comprising a pincers head (4) which bears the pincer arms (9) and which is both rotatably connected to the distal end of the tube (2) and is axially connected to it in detachable, geometrically locking manner (6, 7), further comprising a rod (8) which drives the pincers arms (9) and which in the pincers' assembled state runs through the tube (2) and detachably rests by its distal end in the swivel seat (11), further comprising an axially clear rotary connection (16, 18) between the rod (8) and the tube (2) in the proximal end segment (15) of the tube (2), characterized in that in the pincers' assembled state, the rod (8), when being in the region of the rotary connection (16, 18), will exhibit at least one engagement zone (21) having an axially parallel, rotationally asymmetric cross-section, and in that a slider (17) rests in a transverse clearance (16) of the tube (2), said slider being fitted with an elongated slot (18) which admits and passes the rod (8) and which, in a passage zone (19), freely passes a maximum-diameter circular cross-section of the proximal segment of the rod (8) and which, in a gripping zone (20) that is offset in the sliding direction, encloses in irrotationally locking manner the engagement zone (21) of the rod (8).
 2. Pincers as claimed in claim 1, comprising a tube (2) which is detachably affixed to the terminal structure (3) and secured by a locking device (26, 27), characterized in that the locking device (26, 27) is connected to the slider (17).
 3. Pincers as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the tube (2) is rotatably affixed to the terminal structure.
 4. Pincers as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the slider (17) is guided in irrotational manner in the borehole (16).
 5. Pincers as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the slider (17) is held by the force of a spring (23) in the engaged position of the gripping zone (20) against the rod (8). 